Self-aligning, screw-threaded fastening device



May 19, 1953 M. T. PHELPS SELF-ALIGNING SCREW-THREADED FASTENING DEVICE Filed March 31, 1950 k Snve'ntor 77/a/qo/m 7' 1 /7640:

I tomeg Patented May 19, 1953 SELF-ALIGNING, SCREW-THREADED FASTENING DEVICE Malcolm T. Phelps, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Weber-Knapp Company, Jamestown, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application March 31, 1950, Serial No. 153,083

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improvement in devices for fastening or securing two members together. More particularly, the invention is directed to fastening devices that are applicable to secure a lid or cover on a receptacle.

In its present embodiment the invention is shown as a latching or fastening device particularly applicable to multiple use in securing a lid or cover on a large receptacle, such, for example, as a casket.

In all receptacles of large proportions it is necessary that several fastening devices be utilized, if the lid or cover thereof is to be properly secured in place. Such fastening devices consist of two or more parts that must be separately mounted, one on the body of the receptacle, and the other on the lid or cover. In order that the related parts of each device may properly mate or interfit when a cover is moved into a closed position on a receptacle, itis necessary that such parts be accurately located and carefully mounted. Furthermore, fastening devices for use in securing the lid or cover of a casket in place must meet other requirements. The devices must be inconspicuous and yet readily accessible for operation and, of course, since the cover of such a receptacle cannot be even slightly twisted, the interfltting parts of each device must be accurately located.

It is a purpose and object of the present invention to provide a fastening device that will serve singly or in multiple to secure together two members such, for example, as a lid on a receptacle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fastening device in which the engageable parts are self-centering and will adapt themselves to overcome any slight variation or inaccuracy of spacing or location when in multiple use to secure a lid or cover on a receptacle.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a fastening device, the structure of which is such that the various parts may be quickly and easily mounted in a lid or cover and rim of a receptacle.

A still further and important object of the invention lies in the provision of a fastening device in which the only exposed and operative part need not be associated with'the other parts thereof until such time as the device is required 2 in conjunction with the accompanying drawing; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a lid, held in closed position on a receptacle by a fastening device embodying the invention and shown in part in section;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the position of the parts of the device prior to engagement;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the parts of the fastening device, certain of which are in vertical section to disclose their interfitting relationship;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a housing for the keeper part of the device, being taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the housing prior to the assembly with the keeper; and

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the keeper.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numerals I0 and II are employed to designate portions of two members, such as a lid and receptacle, respectively, that are to be secured together by means of a fastening device embodying the invention. The member [0 is formed with a circular opening l2 extending from top to bottom thereof. A collar l3, having a series of external, tapered threads l4, isprojected into the opening I! from the under face I6 of themember H1. The lower end of the collar is notched, as at IT, to enable use of a screw-driver to thread it into this opening. In the present illustration, the member I0 is formed from wood or such other material as a liner for the opening l2 that the threads of the collar [3 will cut their own grooves. It will, however, be understood that the collar l3 could be secured in the lower end of the opening I 2 by other conventional means than that shown. The opening [8, extending through the collar,

' is, at its upper end, of reduced diameter and.

to function to secure a lid or cover on a reformed with threads l9.

A bolt 2| is adapted to be carriedby the collar l3 and consists of a head 22 and a shank 23 which continues in a rod-like extension 24 of a diameter considerably less than that of the shank. The end of the rod 24 is formed with an enlarged head which includes threads 26 and pointed end 21. To mount the bolt in the retainer-like collar l3, it is necessary to move the threaded end 26 into the opening [8 and, by rotation, the bolt is fed into the collar until the threads 26 have passed the threads l9. At this point the shank 23 will be within the upper portion of the opening H of the member and the rod 24 will have free axial movement within the threaded portion of the opening. Due to the difference in diameter between the opening 12 and the shank 23, as well as the difference in diameter between the rod 24 and thecrests. of the, threads, IS, the bolt 2I, when assembled with the collar [3, may have a small amount of rocking motion.

The member II, as shown in Fig. 2, is formed with a circular opening 28 that extends downwardly a given depth from the upper-face 29 thereof. A housing 3| is intended to be mounted in this opening. This housingdsiormed with. external threads 32 which are somewhat tapered from the rim 33 thereof to the small annular flange 34 at the otherend, Thehousing is intended to be force threaded into the opening 28, much in the manner of the retainer col:

lar I3. Here also it is contemplated that means other than the threads shown may be. provide ed. for securing this housing against, displacement from the member il. Anopening 36 extendsthrough the housing. That portion of the opening beneath the rim is circular. However, the rim is so formed as to provide inwardly set, flat faces or sides 31.

Akeeper 3B for the bolt 2| consists-of a circular member through which a threadedopening 39 extends. The body of the keeper is of considerably. lessdiaineter than that of the opening 35.o f the housing. The upper end or neck 4| of the keeper is formed with opposite, plane faces 42. The body of the keeper and the neck are connected by, an annular, inclined shoulder 43. The, proportions of the neck of the keeper 38 are such that it will fit loosely in the upper end of the opening in the. housing 3']. Of course, the faces 31 and,42 of,the housing and keeper are such as to prevent relative rotation ofthese parts. The keeper is assembled with the, housingprior to installation in the member ii and this is accomplished by projecting thekeeper into the opening 38 of the housing from its lower end and relatively adjusting these parts until the neck 4| lies at least partly within the rim 33. The flange 3 6;may now bebent or crimped inwardly to hold the keeper within thehousing. It will be observed that the relative proportions of the keeper and housing are such that, with an end of the keeper at rest on the inturned flange 3 4, the neck. portion thereof, in part, lies within the upper end'ofthe housing opening and, therefore, inno relativeposition-of these parts can the keeper be rotated.

Hail n described the structural details of/the parts of the fastening device embodying theinvention, a brief statement of their operation is set out as follows: It will be understoodthat the bolt 2|, when mounted as shown, in Fig. 2,-will be ca'pableof'alimited amount of wobble and that as the members illand ii are brought'into proximity, the end 21 will centerv in thethreaded opening 39' of the retainer. Any slight misalignment of the openings I2 and 2B of the members It and II, respectively, will undoubtedly beovercome by the freedom of the bolt within its mounting. However, should further mis alignment of the above mentioned openings be present, thekeeper will be capable of lateral adjustment in addition to that of the bolt and ,to

such an: extent that the threaded .end 26 will readily engage with the threads of the opening 39. Rotation of the bolt serves to feed it into the keeper and this first moves the keeper upwardly within the housing to a point where the annular shoulder 43 abuts corresponding surfaces on the-housing. Further rotation of the bolt 2ldraws, the member Ill, downwardly to a point where the member surfaces 16 and 29 abut, or to a point where the upper face of the housing 3| is in contact with the lower edge of the collar-I8.

To-release and separate the members I 0 and I l, itv is,,merely necessary to reversely rotate the bolt 21, until it has been disengaged from the threads of;the keeper 38. Until such time as the lid or cover of a casket is to be secured in closed position; it is undesirable that the lid fasteners be conspicuous or in any way constitute projecting, interfering obstructions. With the present inventionit is, practical ,to withhold.assembling the bolts, 2], with the retainer collars i3 untilsuch time asthelidjor cover isbrought intoclosedpositionand intended'to be secured to the bodyof the receptacle.

Although applicanthas shown and described only one form ofhis invention, itvwill be apparent that variations in size and proportions of the partsthereof maybe made initsadaptation as a means of fastening varlous,.members together or lids on receptacles, and that'such variations are considered as being within the scopeoi, the invention insofar asthey are setout in the annexed claim.

Havil'ig thus set forth my invention, what vI claimas new andfor which I' desire protection by Letters Patent is:

A fasteningdevice for securing two members tcgethercomprising a bolt, aretainer threaded into one of said members loosely mounting said bolt for free rotating movement'and limited axial movement; threads .adjacentone end only of said bolt, said end being beveled to forma pilot, a housing comprisingan externally threaded annular'sleeve threaded into the other of said members, a reduced diametered portion in the outer end of said *housingforming a shoulder, an internally threaded keeper for receiving the pilot endof-said bolt, said keeperbeing mounted-in said housing and having substantial lateral movement with respect thereto, ashoulder-0n said keeper larger than the opening in the shoul der-of said'housing, the keeper shoulder being engageable with the housing shoulder to limit relative axial movement in one direction, andinterengaging means on said keeper and said-housing for preventing relative rotation.

MALCOLMT. PHELPS.

References Cited in the file. of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number N ame Date 748,678 Kaisling Dec; 29, 1903 950,771 Lohmann Mar. 1,1910

1,120,403 OLeary Dec. 8, 1914 1,251,676, McCaiirey Jan 1, 1918 1,694,580 Carr; Dec, 11, 1928 2,403,810 Lord July 9, 1946 FOREIGN- PATENTS Number Country Date 226,990 Switzerland May 15,1948 

